Everyone has key moments in their career, when they learn something so significant that it shapes their future leadership journey. It could be when something has worked fantastically well and you want to repeat. It could be when something goes spectacularly wrong and you never want that to happen again. It could be a really... Continue Reading →
The Magic 1265: A more flexible approach
One of the most searched blogs that I have written on this website is the one on constructing your 1265 audit. I am continually surprised by the number of colleagues who do not formalise this process and share it with staff. It is understood that this merely a starting point and staff work far longer... Continue Reading →
Three top tips for all Heads: From Heads of Departments to Headteachers to CEO’s to Ministers
I am a regular listener to podcasts whether I’m running, walking the dog or behind the wheel during the many hours I spend driving. Two of my favourite current listens are ‘Leading’ and ‘The Rest is Politics’ both presented by Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart. In one of the most recent episodes of ‘Leading’ was... Continue Reading →
Changing the way we approach school improvement: No Silver Bullets 2.0
The following is a guest blog by Chris Dyson, Deputy CEO at the Create Trust and the author of 'Parklands: A school built on love'. "I remember the day, time and place like it was yesterday. Tuesday January 24th at 10am in a cafe in Farsley Leeds was the first time I met in person the... Continue Reading →
Murmurations: Achieving Harmony Across Complex Organisations
In a recent blog post, I discussed the concept of "Flying in Formation." The idea is that within a small school, teachers can enhance their consistency by evaluating their practices and comparing them to those of their neighboring classrooms. By engaging in discussions within small groups, we can collaborate to stay on track. I used... Continue Reading →
Posh cars and holiday habits
‘You can have any car you’d like?’ Yes that sentence got me thinking. What would it be? The VW transporter I now dream of? The sports car of my youth? Or perhaps the new ‘bombproof’ Land Rover Defender? ‘No Silver Bullets 2.0: Heart and Soul of School Improvement’ is published on Monday the 4th March –... Continue Reading →
Managing the Bad Days
Have you woken up anxious again? Is it the OFSTED judgement that hangs over you? The low external data which you know will be published soon? Or is there another another pupil issue which seems to be snowballing? In every school leader's life there are days when we have to deal with disappointments. The worst... Continue Reading →
KCSIE 2023: ‘Something changed’
When the new edition of Keeping Children Safe in Education was published last Tuesday, a whole host of organisations began to offer their views on the changes and marketed CPD to support people with implementing the new version of the document. We all read the changes with a different lens. Often the first people who... Continue Reading →
Succession, European football and finding the right staff for your school.
This week saw the finale of the tv series, ‘Succession’ and I am sure many school leaders will have enjoyed watching it as a half term treat. Succession: The TV series The first series of ‘Succession’ Succession is a drama series that follows the Roy family, owners of a global media empire, as they navigate... Continue Reading →
Flying in formation
At the heart of school leadership is our desire to continually improve the provision in all our classrooms so that our children receive the best possible teaching. We will have a view of what this teaching and learning looks like and in every school this will look slightly different. We set up our CPD provision... Continue Reading →